NEWS of the Red Deer Region - November 1-15, 2006

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
November 2006 Part 1

Nov. 15, 2006
Clarkson Chooses Red Deer for Citizenship Institute
Former Canadian Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson has chosen Red Deer to launch the Institute for Canadian Citizenship in January 2007. The purpose is to encourage Canadian communities to bridge the gap between newly arrived citizens and established Canadians. Clarkson chose Red Deer because she saw the city as a warm and welcoming place for people of other cultures.
Sylvan Lake to Become Smoke Free
On June 1 next year, the town of Sylvan Lake will become the third municipality in Central Alberta to ban smoking in public places including restaurants, bars, bingo halls and work places. Some people fear loss of business and a reduction in charitable funds as a result of the move. Red Deer and Stettler have already passed similar by-laws.

Nov. 13, 2006
Weather Reduces Attendance at Agri-Trade Farm Exhibition
Western Canada's largest farm exhibition, Agri-Trade, experienced reduced attendance because of snow, icy roads and fog. However, the event at Westerner Park did attract almost 73,000 people, only 1,500 less than last year when the weather was much better. In addition to agriculture-related products, the exhibition displayed various kinds of merchandise and there were displays from several organizations. The 23rd annual show attracted 510 exhibits, plus another 28 for the farm toy collector show. About 30 exhibitors were turned away due to lack of room in spite of the large venue.
Lots Sell Quickly at Rocky Mountain House Draw
Within 25 minutes, all 22 lots available in a Rocky Mountain House lot draw were sold. All lots were located near the North Saskatchewan River and ranged in price between $76,000 and $86,000.

Nov. 10, 2006
Naturalists Assist Wildlife Centre Acquire Land
The Red Deer River Naturalists are assisting the Medicine River Wildlife Centre in the purchase and preservation of a quarter section of land adjacent to the centre. The land is in a natural state and often used for the release of rehabilitated animals and birds. When the land went on the market, the centre wanted to be sure that it wouldn't be used for quad and snowmobile activities as it would disturb the recovering wildlife. About $60,000 has been raised of the $289,000 needed.
Canyon Ski Hill Opens Earlier Than Normal
About two weeks earlier than last year Canyon Ski Hill is opening Saturday for the season. A combination of natural and artificial snow has made it possible. The snowboard terrain park and two beginner runs are open. The other trails will be open soon.

Nov. 9, 2006
Initiative Launched for Young Entrepreneurs
A partnership between the Centre for Business Development, Canadian Youth Business Foundation and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce has launched an initiative to assist young entrepreneurs with mentoring and funding. Loan recipients must meet with their mentors at least four hours per month and have a business plan.
Red Deer Home Building Pace Continues
Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation has reported that the home building pace in Red Deer is still well ahead of last year. 120 single family homes were started during October as compared to 84 for the same month last year. To date this year 1,192 residential units have been started, up 20% from last year, with 904 single family and 288 multi-family units.

Nov. 8, 2006
Drainage Plan for Proposed Annexation Disputed by County
A proposal by the City of Red Deer to drain storm water from its proposed annexation of eight quarter sections of land for an industrial park west of Highway 2 into Hazlett Lake north of the city was rejected by Red Deer County Tuesday. The Hazlett Lake area had been identified previously in the Intermunicipal Development Plan as the area that the city would annex next but the city chose to attempt to annex land west instead. The County's primary concern is the lack of information on how the city would deal with flooding as a result of the increased storm water piped into the lake.
County Requests Traffic Study on Proposed City Timberlands Development
A new city subdivision that includes a 65-acre commercial centre that could eventually be part of a 277-acre power shopping centre has Red Deer County concerned about traffic that could impact county roads in the area. As a result, the County is asking the City for a traffic impact study prior to the Timberlands plan getting initial approval from Council. Another concern is that the plan is inconsistent with the Intermunicipal Development Plan in that the focus for the subdivision appears to have shifted from mostly residential to a larger commercial component.
County Approves Annexation Plan for Delburne
A plan by the Village of Delburne to annex 480 acres of land south and east of the village for residential and business growth has been approved by Red Deer County. The application should get provincial approval within a few months. The County has been negotiating with seven municipalities with annexation proposals. Negotiations have gone well with Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Penhold, Elnora and Delburne. Difficulties have been encountered with Bowden and Red Deer.
Home Sales Continue Record Pace in Central Alberta
For the first ten months of 2006, home sales are up 28% over the same period last year on average throughout Central Alberta, according to the Red Deer and District Real Estate Board Co-op. In Red Deer, 2,094 homes have been sold this year and 1,819 in the surrounding region. The average selling price of single detached homes in the city are up almost 50% over last year to over $330,000. However, prices vary considerably through the region.

Nov. 7, 2006
Golf Course Proposal Denied by City Council
Red Deer city council has denied rezoning land for a proposed golf course and gravel operation that would straddle the Red Deer River with part of the project in the city and the other part in the county. The 22 acres on the city side would have had three holes. The 65 acres Norman Chiles owns on the county side of the river would have had six holes. A bridge would have connected the two. Red Deer County had given first reading for rezoning the land a couple of weeks ago. The golf course would have been built several years in the future once the gravel operation had run out. The city was concerned about access for future trails.
Green Housing Project Approved for City Downtown
An energy-efficient and affordable housing and commercial building for the downtown area was approved by the Red Deer municipal planning commission Monday. The project will have 22 affordable rental suites, 9 condominium or rental suites at market value and five ground floor commercial spaces. Energy saving technology and environmentally friendly energy sources will work toward an annual net zero energy consumption. The existing building on site will be torn down in the spring with construction expected to be completed one year after. The site will be vehicle free but the commission recommended parking stalls be provided for visitors off-site.
Millennium Centre to Add Floors Next Year
Adding two storeys to the five storey Millennium Centre in downtown Red Deer is slated to begin in the spring adding 38,000 sq. ft. to the building. Three floors were added to the original two storey building in 2000. The project is expected to cost more than the original $3.5 million that was estimated last year.

Nov. 6, 2006
Jingle Bell Run Raises Funds for Arthritis
About 180 runners and walkers in Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House, many dressed in festive costume, raised over $35,000 for arthritis research on the weekend in the 12th annual Jingle Bell Run. Participants could choose between 1 km, 3 km and 10 km courses and many won prizes for costumes or pledges.

Nov. 4, 2006
Recreation Centre Mural Under Way
Work is starting on a new mural on the north outside wall of the newly renovated Recreation Centre. The artwork, made of ceramic tiles, will span three metres by fifteen metres and was inspired by the area's history and potential.
Red Deer Chamber Opposes Use of River Water for Balzac Development
A huge $1 billion shopping and entertainment complex proposed for north of Calgary at Balzac is being opposed by the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. The project developers plan to pipe water to their project in the Bow River basin from the Red Deer River at an intake near Drumheller. The Chamber suggests that this would set a dangerous precedent for businesses in the Calgary area tapping into the Red Deer River as the province has indicated that no new water licenses will be awarded in the Bow River Basin. This, in turn, could restrict growth in communities along the Red Deer River.
Clearwater County Hopes Howse Pass Route Can Be Re-Examined
It could be many years, if ever, that a new highway through the Rockies via the Howse Pass would be built but Clearwater County and the town of Rocky Mountain House would like government officials to take another serious look at the idea. The route, an extension of Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway), would cut 95 km off the trip between Central Alberta and the west coast. A study was conducted last year suggesting that the economic benefit of the proposal would exceed the cost of building it and that it would take considerable pressure off the existing routes through the mountains. In 1997, Parks Canada declared that no new highways would be built through Banff National Park, through which the proposed highway would run.

Nov. 3, 2006
Second Scheduled Airline for Airport
A new airline is preparing to operate out of the Red Deer Regional Airport. Northwestern Airlines will offer direct service to Saskatoon three times a week, starting December 1. Flights on Mondays and Fridays will continue on to Fort McMurray, Fort Smith and Yellowknife with return flights the same evenings. Wednesday flights to Saskatoon will return in the early afternoon. The service compliments Peace Air will has being supplying flight services to northern Alberta and BC for about a year.
Nabors Prepares for Move to Sylvan Lake
The new facilities for Nabors Production Services are nearing completion in the Beju Industrial/Commercial Park in Sylvan Lake and the company is expecting to move from its Red Deer facility by mid-November. The $15 million complex consists of a 13,000 sq. ft. office building, a 40,000 sq. ft. repair shop and about 30 acres of storage area. The entire parcel covers about 44 acres. The company's Core Energy Solutions subsidiary will move from Innisfail to the old property in Edgar Industrial Park in Red Deer. Sylvan Lake will become Nabors' operational centre for Western Canada having 80 office and mechanical staff and about 380 field employees.

Nov. 2, 2006
College Joins Red Deer Corridor Economic Partnership
What was referred to as the 3C Partnership, consisting of the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, is now the Red Deer Regional Economic Development partnership with the addition of Red Deer College. The new partnership, with its branding of 'Red Deer Corridor - Canada's Economic Centre', presented its annual report and strategic plan to a recent Chamber luncheon. One of the objectives is to attract workers to the region from other parts of Canada and the world.
Olds College Expands Animal Health Technician Program
To help alleviate the shortage of animal health technicians in the province, Olds College has doubled the student spaces available for the program to 60. The expansion is possible partly due the introduction of an online option for the program.
City Building Permits Still on Track for New Record
Residential construction in Red Deer continues to exceed last year's numbers both in permits and value, leading a trend that could bring this year's total to a new record. 297 residential permits were issued in October valued at $12.2 million compared to 244 permits for the same month last year valued at $11.8 million. To date this year, total permits in all categories have reached $215.2 million compared to $213 million for the same period in 2005.

Nov. 1, 2006
Lacombe County Eyes River Water for Proposed Developments
Several proposals for industrial development in Lacombe County has county officials looking at alternatives for water and sewer supply. One of the options for water is connecting with the regional water line between Red Deer and Ponoka which draws from the Red Deer River. Business parks are being proposed for west of Lacombe near Highway 2 and east of Lacombe near the Agricore grain facility.
Blackfalds Plans to Annex Thirty Year Supply of Land
Lacombe County gave first reading Tuesday to a bylaw to change the Blackfalds/Lacombe County Intermunicipal Development Plan. This starts the process for negotiations with the town of Blackfalds over their long range plan for expansion. Over the next 30 years, the town is expected to grow from the current population of around 4,500 to a major centre of 26,000 to 33,000 people. It is estimated that around 2,000 acres of land will be required to accommodate that growth. Preliminary plans show residential growth to the north and east of the town while commercial and industrial growth will proceed to the south and west, along Highways 2 and 597.

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